Sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes



Feb. 12, 1952 FIG.|.

R. B. HARKNESS ETAL STERILIZING RECEPTACLE FOR LIGATURE TUBES Filed Aug.13, 1949 Patented Feb. 12, 1952 STERILIZING RECEPTACLE FOR LIGATURETUBES Reed B. Harkness and Eleanor E. Lacey, 'St. Louis,

Mo., assignors to The C. Dewitt Lukens Surgical any, St. Louis, Mo., acor-.-

Manufacturing Comp poration of Missouri Application August 13, 1949,Serial No. 110,202

7 Claims. (01. 21-87) This invention relates to sterilizing receptaclesfor ligature tubes and more particularly to receptacles forcontainingligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution.

The invention, in general, comprises a receptacle for containingligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution having a label withinthe receptacle visible from the outside of the receptacle for indicatingthe type of ligatures contained in the tubes within the receptacle. Thelabel' is resistant to the sterilizing solution, both as to the materialof which it is composed, and the printing thereon, so that it isunaffected by immersion in the sterilizing solution. The provision ofthe label within the receptacle, rather than onthe outside of thereceptacle, has the advantage that the label is protected and remainsclearly readable so that there is never any dificulty in determining thetype of ligatures contained in the ligature tubes in the receptacle. Ina more specific aspect of the invention, the receptacle is provided witha partition or partitions to provide compartments for holding differenttypes of ligatures and label holders are provided on the partition orpartitions removably to hold labels so that the type of ligature in aparticular compartment may be quickly and accurately determined byviewing the labels from the outside of the receptacle. Other featureswill be in part apparen and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations ofelements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts whichwillbe exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the.scope of the application of which will be indicated in the followingclaims.

In the accompanying drawing, in which one of various possibleembodiments of the invention is illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of a sterilizing receptacle embodying theinvention, viewed in the plane of a partition therein, the receptaclebeing partly broken away and shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2; and, Y

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2. V p Similarreference characters indicate correspending parts throughout the severalviews .of the drawing. Referring to the drawing, there is shown at I areceptacle or container consisting of a cylindrical glass jar having aconvex bottom 3 and a mouth 5 of reduced diameter. A metal cover] fitsover the mouth of the jar. The space within the jar is divided into fourcompartments 9, I I, l3 and I5, open at the top, by a partitioning unitconsisting of a pair of partitioning members [1 and I 9. The member I!comprises agenerally rectangular sheet metal blank which is bent to havea fiat narrow vertical central section 2.l' Land wing walls 23-and 25diverging .fromthejsidesqf the central section. As shown, the wing wallsare approximately at right. angles to oneanot her. At the lower end of.the .flat central section 2.| 'is an upwardly directed hook 21. Thi isformed from an integral portion of theshleetfmetal blank bent upwardfromthe lower endof theflat cer'itral section 2| opposite the wingwall's'l'lie member. l9 comprises a generally .rectangu 'ar sheet metalblankbent to have a flatnarrow vertical central section 3 l and wingwalls 33 andf35 diverging from thesides of theucentral section. Likewing walls 23 and 25, the wing walls '33anjd 35 are approximately. atright angles to. one

another. At the upper end of the flat central section 3| is a downwardlydirected hook 31.. 'I h is is formed by bending an integral portion oftlie sheet metal blank downward from the upper end of the flatcentralsection 3l1opposite thawin Walls33and35. f: The partitioningmembers, l1 and ill areassembled withinthe jar with the wing walls 23,25, 33 and 35 formingpartitions defining the compartments 9, I I, I3 andI5, by placingthe fiat central section 3| of member (9 againstthe flatcentral section 2i of member I1, with the member l9 higher than themember l1, and sliding the member l9 downward to engage the lower, endofsection 3| in thehook 21 and. the upper end of section 2| in the hook31. Each wing wall ismade of such width that, with the members, I! andi9 assembled as described, the wing wallsradiate from the approximate'center of the jar-substantially to the cylindrical wall of the jar Theheight of the wingwalls is somewhat less] than the height of'the jartothe botto'mfof its reduced- .diameter mouth 5. The diameter-of theassembly of members IT and I9 is greater than the diameter of the mouthof the jar so that the assembly cannot be removed except bydisassembling the members I! and [9 within the jar and tilting them sothat member [9 may be removed through the jar mouth. The members I! andI9 are placed and assembled within the jar by slightly tilting them.Both the bottom and top edges of the wing walls are curved to conform tothe convex shape of the bottom 3 of the jar so that members I! and [9are reversible. The outer edges of the wing walls extend vertically,closely adjacent the inside of the cylindrical wall of the jar.

At the outer vertical edges of the wing walls 23, 25, 33 and 35, andlocated at the mid-height thereof, are label holders 43, 45, 53 and 55,respectively. Each label holder is identically formed, consisting of atongue 51, integral with its respective wing wall, bent to extendlaterally at such an angle to the wing wall as to face the cylindricalwall of the jar. The upper and lower margins of the tongue are bent overupon the outer face of the tongue to form upper and lower channels 59and GI adapted slidably to receive a label 53. The tongues are curved inplan, i. e.. as viewed from above, and extend at such an angle to theplanes of their respective wing Walls that they resiliently pressagainst the cylindrical wall of the jar when the members I! and Hi areassembled within the jar. This holds the assembly oi members 11 and I9tightly in the jar and prevents it from rattling. With this arrangement,the label holders also eliminate any possibility of ligature tubesslipping past the outer edges oi the wing walls from one compartment toanother.

All the label holders 43, 45, .53 and 55 are bent to extend in the samedirection from the outer vertical edges of the wing walls when themembets .1] and .19 are assembled. As illustrated, the label holder 13extends from the outer vertical edge oi the wing wall 23 toward the wingwall 25 and fronts the compartment 9 defined by these wing walls. Thelabel holder 45 extends from the outer edge of the wing wall 25 awaytrain the wing wall 23 and toward the wing wall 33., and \thus frontsthe compartment ll defined by wing walls 25 .and '33. The label holder53 extends from the outer edge of the wing wall '33 toward the wing wall35 and thus fronts the compartment l3 defined by these wing walls. Thelabel holder 55 extends vfrom the outer edge of the wing wall 35 awayfrom the wing Wall '33 and .toward the wing wall 2?, and thus fronts thecompartment .l 5 defined by wing walls 35 and '23. Thus, each one of thelabel holders is positioned in the Iront of its respective compartmentso that there is no question as to which compartment the "label thereinidentifies, and the label holders remain insuch positions relative totheir respective --compartments in any rotary position of theassem'blyI] and f9 in the jar. The labels 63 consist simply of printed paperlabels, which are usuallysupplied with'the ligature tubes, made of apaper which is not adversely affected by the sterilizing solution is tobe used in the jar, and printed with an ink which is insoluble in thesterilizing solution. Such papers and inks are well 'known. The labelsare inserted in the label holders before members -'I'I and I9 are placedin the jarbyinserting them endwise into the upper and lower channels 59and SI 'of the label holders.

In using the receptacle, appropriate labels are placed in the respectivelabel holders to indicate 4 the type of ligatures which are contained inthe ligature tubes in the various compartments. Supplies of the properligature tubes are placed in the proper compartments, and the jar filledwith a standard sterilizing solution to cover the tubes. This sterilizesthe interior of the jar, the partitioning members I! and I9 and theoutside surfaces of the ligature tubes. The labels are visible throughthe wall of the jar, and the type of ligatures in the tubes in anycompartment may thus be quickly and accurately identified, so that thereis no delay in selecting a desired ligature tube.

The invention is particularly useful for the sterile storage ofnon-boilable ligatures contained in glass ligature tubes. With theinvention. supplies of different types of ligatures may be stored insterile condition in one jar and a desired ligature may be quickly andaccurately selected when needed. If the level of the sterilizingsolution is lowered by the removal of ligature tubes to such an extentas to expose any tubes, more tubes may be placed in the jar to raise theliquid level, or more sterilizing solution may be added. The provisionof a label or labels inside the jar visible from the outside of the jar,whether by having label holders mounted on the partitions, or byproviding the labels on the inside of the receptacle in any other way,and whether the receptacle is completely or only partly transparent, isof considerable advantage, as this prevents loss or defacementof thelabel.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

We claim: 1. A sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes adapted to holdsupplies of ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution comprisinga glass jar, partitioning means within the jar dividing the spacetherein into compartments open at the top, said partitioning means beingremovable from the jar and having .outer vertical edges closely adjacentthe inside of the wall of the jar, and label holders, one for eachcompartment, extending laterally from the outer edges of thepartitioning means closely adjacent and in face-to-iace relationshipwith the inside of the Wall of the jar in front of the respectivecompartments, each of said label holders comprising a resilient tonguepressing against the Wall of the jar, and formed to hold a label invertical position closely adjacent the inside oi-the wall of the jar andfacing the outside of the jar.

2. A sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes adapted to hold suppliesof ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution comprising a glassjar, a sheet metal partitioning unit within the jar dividing the spacetherein into compartments open at the top, said unit being removablefrom the jar and having outer vertical edges closely adjacent the insideof the wall of the jar, and label holders, one for each compartment,extending laterally from the outer vertical edges of the partitioningunit closely adjacent and in face-to-face relationship with the insideof the wall of .the jar .in frontof the respective compartments andadapted to hold labels facing'the outside of the jar, each label holdercomprising a tongue bent to extend laterally at an angle to therespective partition,

the upper and lower margins of the tongue being bent overupontheouterfaceof the tongue to form upper and lower'channels adapted slidablyto receive a label with the label presented'in vertical position closelyadjacent the inside of the 'wall of the jar and facing the outside.

3. A sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes adapted to hold suppliesof ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution comprising a glassjar, a sheet metal partitioning unit within the jar dividing the spacetherein into compartments open at the top, said unit being removablefrom the jar and having outer vertical edges closely adjacent the insideof the wall of the jar, and label holders, one for each compartment,extending laterally from the outer vertical edges of the partitioningunit closely adjacent and in face-to-face relationshi iwith the insideof the wall of the jar in front of the respective compartments andadapted to hold labels facing the outside of the jar, each label holdercomprising a tongue integral with the respective partition bent toextend laterally at an angle to the respective partition, the upper andlower margins of the tongue being bent over upon the outer face of thetongue to form upper and lower channels adapted slidably to receive alabel with the label presented in vertical position closely adjacent theinside of the wall of the jar and facing the outside, the tonguesextending at such an angle to the partitions as to resiliently pressagainst the wall of the jar.

4. A sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes adapted to hold suppliesof ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution comprising acylindrical glass jar having a reduced-diameter mouth, a pair ofpartitioning members within the jar dividing the space therein into fourcompartments open at the top, each of said partitioning memberscomprising a generally rectangular sheet metal blank bent to have a flatvertical central section and wing walls diverging from the centralsection, the members having their central sections in flatwiseengagement and their wing walls radiating outward substantially to thecylindrical wall of the jar, the outer edges of the wing walls extendingvertically closely adjacent the inside of the cylindrical wall of thejar under the reduced-diameter jar mouth, and

tongues integral with the respective wing walls bent to extend laterallyat such angles to the wing walls as to face the cylindrical wall of thejar, each tongue having its upper and lower margins bent over upon theouter face of the tongue to form upper and lower channels adaptedslidably to receive a label with the label presented in verticalposition closely adjacent the inside of the wall of the jar and facingthe outside, all the tongues extending in the same direction from theouter vertical edges of the wing walls.

5. A sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes adapted to hold suppliesof ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution comprising acylindrical glass jar having a reduced-diameter mouth, a pair ofpartitioning members within the jar dividing the space therein into fourcompartments open at the top, each of said partitioning memberscomprising a generally rectangular sheet metal blank bent to have a flatvertical central section and wing walls diverging from the centralsection, the members having their central sections in fiatwiseengagement and their wing walls radiating outward substantially 6 to thecylindrical wall of the jar, the outer edges of the wing walls extendingvertically closely adjacent the inside of the cylindrical wall of thejar under the reduced-diameter jar mouth, and tongues integral with therespective wing walls bent to extend laterally at such angles to thewing walls as to face the cylindrical wall of the jar, each tonguehaving its upper and lower margins bent over upon the outer face of thetongue to form upper and lower channels adapted slidably to receive alabel with the label presented in vertical position closely adjacent theinside of I the wall of the jar and facing the outside. all the tonguesextending in the same direction from the outer vertical edges of thewing walls, the tongues being curved in plan and bent at such angles asresiliently to press against the cylindrical wall of the jar.

6. A sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes adapted to hold suppliesof ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution comprising acylindrical glass jar having a reduced-diameter mouth, a pair ofpartitioning members within the jar dividing the space therein into fourcompartments open at the top, each of said partitioning memberscomprising a generally rectangular sheet metal blank bent to have a flatvertical central section and wing walls diverging from the centralsection, one of said members having a hook at the lower end of itscentral section receiving the lower end of the central section of theother member, the said other member having a hook at the upper end ofits central section receiving the upper end of the central section ofsaid one member, the members having their central sections in fiatwiseengagement and their Wing walls radiating outward substantially to thecylindrical wall of the jar, the outer edges of the wing walls extendingvertically closely adjacent the inside of the cylindrical wall of thejar under the reduced-diameter jar mouth, and tongues integral with therespective wing walls bent to extend laterally at such angles to thewing walls as to face the cylindrical wall of the jar, each tonguehaving its upper and lower margins bent over upon the outer face of thetongue to form upper and lower channels adapted slidably to receive alabel with the label presented in vertical position closely adjacent theinside of the wall of the jar and facing the outside, all the tonguesextending in the same direction from the outer vertical edges of thewing walls.

7. A sterilizing receptacle for ligature tubes adapted to hold suppliesof ligature tubes immersed in a sterilizing solution comprising acylindrical glass jar having a reduced-diameter mouth, a pair ofpartitioning members within the jar dividing the space therein into fourcompartments open at the top, each of said partitioning memberscomprising a generally rectangular sheet metal blank bent to have a flatvertical central section and wing walls diverging from the centralsection, one of said members having a hook at the lower end of itscentral section receiving the lower end of the central section of theother member, the said other member having a hook at the upper end ofits central section receiving the upper end of the central section ofsaid one member, the members having their central sections in flatwiseengagement and their wing walls radiating outward substantially to thecylindrical wall of the jar, the outer edges of the wing walls extendingvertically closely adjacent the inside of the cylindrical wall of thejar under the reduced-diameter jar mouth, and tongues integral with therespective wing walls 7 bent t extend laterally at .such angles to thewing walls as to face ithe cylindrical wall act the jar, each ton uehaving i s uppe n lower mflr ins bent over upon the outer face of thetongue to form upper and lower channels adapted slidably to receive alabel with the label presented in vertical position ,closely adjacentthe inside of the wall of the jar and facin the outside, all the tonguesextending in the ,same direction irom the outer vertical edges of thewing walls, the tongues .being curved in plan and bent at such angles.as resiliently to press against the nylindrical wall of the jar.

REED B. -I-;IARKNESS.

ELEANOR E. LACEY.

anem a hnmmmcns can file of this patent:

5 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,788,104 Hargreaves Jan. 6,1931 1,971,570 Lukens vAmi. 28, 1934 10 R I am Number Country Date308,057 Great Britain Mar. 321, 1929

